To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to establish or expand programs to implement evidence-aligned practices in health care settings for the purpose of reducing the suicide rates of covered individuals, and for other purposes.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a grant program aimed at reducing suicide rates among certain groups of people. Specifically, it would give the HHS Secretary the authority to award money to health care organizations and settings so they can either start new programs or expand existing ones that use proven, evidence-based approaches to suicide prevention. The goal is to bring more effective tools and practices directly into health care environments where at-risk individuals are most likely to be reached.

The bill focuses on a specific group referred to as "covered individuals," though the exact definition of that group would be spelled out in the full bill text. Health care providers, hospitals, clinics, or similar organizations would likely be the primary recipients of these grants, using the funding to train staff, implement screening procedures, or offer intervention services that research has shown to be effective at preventing suicide. This means the bill could affect both health care workers who receive training and patients who receive better, more targeted mental health support.

The legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to two committees — the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Education and Workforce — for further review. It has not yet been voted on. If passed, this bill would represent a federal investment in mental health infrastructure, directing resources toward suicide prevention efforts grounded in scientific evidence rather than untested approaches.